“Why Is It Raining?”
Our first attempt to get back in the tribe ended up being a sight-seeing trip. The weather was so bad the plane had to take us back to Goroka. The next morning we got in along with 2 more flights for our suitcases and supplies like food, etc. The following weeks have been full of cloud right to the ground and drizzle or rain. Jason asked us, “Why is it raining?”. It certainly hasn’t been anything like sunny Southern California and he seemed to think something was wrong with the place. At this time of the year we’re tempted to agree with him. There is mud everywhere and the airstrip has some muddy spots that just aren’t drying up. We’ll be glad when this bad weather season is over and we can see the sun again for more than just a couple days a month.
Settling In
We spent several weeks cleaning the houses here. Our house was in good condition after sitting vacant for a year. Nothing had been stolen even though a window had been broken. It was probably from a kid with a slingshot since there was no evidence of anyone trying to get in. There was lots to clean up, bugs, cobwebs, mold on the corregated iron roof, etc. We also had to reinstall our solar panels only to find that our charge controller was bad. Also our batteries are permanently damaged from running low on water (not to mention their age) so we are running the generator lots. We’re thankful that we have new batteries coming with our stuff on the container.
Back To Work/School
Since we arrived we both have been getting warmed up in the Simbari language again. David is back in the office now that he is caught up on projects around the house. The first project is a revision of the Evangelism Bible lessons. We want to start teaching through the lessons again but need to make some changes first. Then, following the revision, we will start translating the book of Acts and the lessons to go with it. Esther and Simon have to go back to school soon so we will be taking them out to town (since it is their first time) and returning a few days later. Our co-worker Lori Morley just arrived back in PNG yesterday so she should be back in the tribe soon too.
Simbari Church Update
We were disappointed to hear that the believers did not meet faithfully through the whole year. Apparently it started out well but a few months ago folks started losing interest. The teachers were going through the book of Mark but without any guidance or lessons to follow they did not do a good job at showing the personal application of the truths they were teaching. David tried to teach them how to do that but they just didn’t have the experience both as believers and teachers to be able to draw applications like they needed to. So the people were easily distracted and pulled away from the meetings. We are encouraged, however, at the spiritual hunger we have seen in them since we have been back and that none seem to have fallen away. We are encouraged with the committment of our 3 Bible teachers and to see them responding to the truths of God’s word.
Thanks for praying,
David & Shari Ogg
(Esther, Simon, Rachel & Jason too)